Corn For Babies: Health Benefits and Recipes

The arrival of a baby is a time of joy and pleasure for the parents. As the baby grows and gets ready for solids at the 6-month mark, the new parents, especially mothers, get advice regarding the baby’s diet and the dos and don’ts. Solids provide babies with all the nutrition and energy they need for proper growth and development. Having said that, all foods may not be suitable for little ones. In this article, we explain the suitability of corn for babies.

Corns For Babies

In many parts of the world, corn is also known as maize. It is quite popular for its flavor, bright yellow color as well as its high protein value. For these reasons, corn may be an ideal food for babies. But as parents, it is important for you to understand that corn has the potential to cause allergies. You will need to consult your baby’s pediatrician before introducing corn.

Watch out for allergic reactions when you feed corn to your baby for the first time. You can introduce corn kernels to your baby once they sprout their first set of teeth. Corn does pose a choking risk and you must monitor your little one carefully when feeding them.

Nutritional Value of Corn

Corn is a starchy vegetable that is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C is rich in corn. Moreover, corn offers fiber, which aids in digestion. Corn also contains a fair amount of folate, thiamin, and phosphorus.

Nutrients	Value
Energy	360kJ (86kcal)
Carbohydrates	18.7g
Protein	3.27g
Fat	1.35g

Along with magnesium and potassium, corn contains smaller amounts of vitamins B, E, and K. The carotenoids, lutein, and zeaxanthin are abundant in yellow corn. A naturally gluten-free food, corn can also be eaten by those with gluten sensitivities.

Types of Corn

There are five types of corns

1. Dent Corn

It is also known as field corn and the color ranges from yellow to white. The starch content in dent corn is relatively high. It is more often than not used to feed animals. However, it is also used in processed foods and industrial products.

2. Sweet Corn

Sweet corn is so named as it has a higher natural sugar content than the other types of corn. These corns are picked before it matures, prior to the stage where sugar gets an opportunity to convert into starch.

The best part is that you can consume it directly without the need for cooking. Sweet corn should be eaten without delay after picking. This is because 50% of the sugar in the corn will turn to starch after 24 hours.

3. Flint Corns

Flint corns do not have as much soft starch as the dent corn and therefore are relatively harder corns. They are used for similar purposes as dent corn. Flint corn grows in Central and South America. The color ranges from white to red.

4. Flour Corn

Flour corn has a soft, starch-filled kernel that is easy to grind. It is used in baking food items. It is mostly white in color.

5. Popcorn

Popcorn is a type of flint corn, which is soft and starchy on the inside and is enclosed in a very hard exterior shell. When heated, the moisture inside the kernel turns to steam and pops up. Other types of corn can also pop to some degree, but not to the same extent as popcorn.

Are Corns Good For Babies?

Corn is excellent food and has high protein and carbohydrate levels, often being considered a giving food. Yet it lacks a few nutrients and there are possibilities of allergies and indigestion issues, which is why you can safely offer it to the baby only once they are about one year old. In cases of a family history of corn allergies, you may need to tread with caution.

Talk to your doctor to find the right time and the right way to introduce corn to your kids. In case of any signs of eczema with the baby, it is best not to offer corn to the baby until the medical practitioner gives the go-ahead. Corn is undoubtedly a nourishing grain that has good fiber content that helps with digestion. It even has Vitamin C, Magnesium, Thiamine, folate, and phosphorus.

When to Introduce Corns to a Baby?

Doctors and medical experts suggest introducing solids to babies who have crossed the six-month mark. Once you start solid foods, you can introduce corn too. In order to prevent any allergies, it is advisable to wait till the baby is one-year-old. This gives enough time for your baby’s digestive system to grow and mature. Consumption of corn, no doubt helps with digestion, but initially, it is difficult to digest the same.

Side Effects of Corn in Babies

The natural sugars in corn can transform into starch very fast. Therefore, corn is not considered very healthy for babies. Babies are more prone to side effects of corn which include:

1. Allergies

Corn allergies are apparently due to the presence of a protein called Lipid transfer protein (LPD), present in corn kernels. This protein can remain intact even after processing or heating the corn. Both corn and corn-based products can generate allergic reactions like eczema and allergic rhinitis in babies.

The Signs of Corn Allergy in Babies Include

Developing skin rashes
Asthmatic signs
Anaphylaxis
Stomach cramps
Stuffy or runny nose
Sneezing
Indigestion
Headaches
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Hives

2. Intolerance

Unlike allergies, intolerance happens as a result of digestive issues and will disappear once you stop giving your baby corn or corn products.

Signs of Corn Intolerance

Stomach pain
Bloating
Diarrhea
Gas

[Read: Top 10 Potential Allergenic Foods For Your Baby]

5 Health Benefits of Corns For Your Baby

There are many benefits that a baby gets from consuming corn, but it should be offered in sufficient amounts initially to know if the baby likes it and even study its reactions on the baby’s body. Let us study its health benefits as undermentioned:

1. Body Growth and Development

Corn which is enriched with B complex, Thiamine, Niacin, and folate helps in the development of nerves and boosts the metabolism, helping with new cell development.

2. Protects Body Cells

Corn helps in the protection of body cells due to the antioxidants that are found in it. The antioxidants help with DNA damage and also protect the tissues.

3. Improves Digestion

Due to the rich fiber content, corn is often called a great laxative. Its consumption can help if the baby has signs of constipation. In order to relieve one from constipation, it is advisable to offer corn products like corn seeds or even whole corn flour.

4. Good Vision and Skin

Loaded with vitamin A, corn is also a source of beta-carotene that offers good eyesight and vision and is even beneficial for the baby’s skin.

5. Improves Muscles and Nerve Functions

Corn is a good source of phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, and iron. While phosphorous is vital for bone health, potassium and magnesium are essential for the function of muscles and nerves. Iron helps to boost the brain development of the baby.

How to Select Corns For Babies?

If it is observed that the baby is fine with the consumption of corn, and is not showing any allergic reactions or symptoms, it is a good idea to add it to their list of foods. However, there are a few tips one needs to keep in mind before selecting the best corn.

Always select fresh corn over the canned ones as they are healthier.
The corn kernels should be shining, round, and fleshy.
It is best to select corn that has the husk attached to it as the husk protects the corn from the heat of the sun.
If allowed, check the quality of the corn by peeling the husk back and touching the tip as well as the kernels to ensure it is healthy and firm.
The brown threads should be ideally very sticky if the corn is fresh.
In case fresh corn is not available, you can even buy frozen corn as an option, however, you must consume it faster.
If you are buying canned corn, check the ingredient list to ensure that there are no added sugars.

How to Cook Corns For Babies?

In order to cook the corn, remove the husk and then drop it into the boiling salted water in order to get rid of any contaminants. Remove the kernels and prepare them to add to any dish of your choice or puree them.

Sometimes corn doesn’t mash completely. In such cases, you can pass the puree through a sieve to ensure that there are no lumps and there are no choking hazards. You can also steam or microwave corn before serving them to your little one.

[Read: Baby’s First Food- Green Peas Puree (4-6 Months)]

Precautions to Take While Feeding Corns For Babies

Consume the corn as soon as it is bought so that it does not spoil. In case not used, keep it refrigerated as that can slow down the sugar to the starch conversion process. Following are some precautions to take while feeding corns for babies:

The corn kernels might lead to choking, so wait until the baby becomes a year old till you offer solid corn.
The nutritional value of the canned corn is less in comparison to the fresh ones so you must prefer fresh over canned ones.
The initial introduction to the corn should be with creamed corn as it is easy to digest by the baby’s system.

Corn Puree Recipe For Baby

The most useful ingredient that can be served in a multitude of ways is corn. Right from making a soup, to porridge, fritters or puree, or even adding fruits and vegetables to get different delicacies, all are different ways to keep the preparation ready in order to make it edible as well as tasty.

Ingredients

One whole cob of sweet corn, one teaspoon of water, little breast milk or formula milk that the child takes.

Recipe

Remove the kernels from the cob using a knife.
Add them to a pot of hot and boiling water and leave until they become soft.
Now add water or mother’s milk or even formula to prepare a puree.
More water can be added to the same to get a thinner consistency.

Thus, it can be seen that corn undeniably has great benefits for ones’ well-being yet if not introduced at the right time and in proper quantity to the diet of the baby can lead to unfavorable consequences which could be a worry for all.

[Read: Baby’s First Food Carrot Puree (6-8 Months)]

FAQ’s

1. Can My Baby Choke on Corn?

Yes, they definitely can. Corns are choking hazards. Ensure you monitor closely when your child eats corn.

2. Can I Crush Corn and Give it to My Baby?

Yes, this can prevent choking. This can be easier to chew too. However, closely monitor your baby.

3. When Can I Give Popcorn to My Baby?

Wait till your baby is at least 3-4 years old. Popcorn can choke your baby easily. Give only small pieces to avoid choking.

4. Can My Baby Digest Corn Easily?

No, they can’t. corn can be difficult to digest. If the baby does not chew properly, you can find whole corn kernels in their poop.